Our Trips

With over 200 journeys worldwide, our award-winning trips offer an incredible range of experiences for every interest and ability. Our journeys feature amazing Trip Leaders and fascinating itineraries that give you an utterly unique experience. Wilderness Travel has been consistently voted as one of the World's Top 5 Operators by Travel & Leisure readers.

Ancient Desert Fortresses, Lost Cities, Fabled Wadi Rum

Overview

Set in a spectacular location on the edge of the Wadi Araba, the fabled ruin called Petra was a fortress carved from solid red sandstone in the 3rd century BC. Our explorations of this great archaeological site include the Al-Khazneh (“Treasury”) of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade fame. Our extension also visits the haunting desert realm of Wadi Rum, the ancient Roman city of Jerash, the pilgrimage site of Mt. Nebo, Madaba, "the city of mosaics," the Crusader fortress of Shobak, and ends with an overnight on the shores of the Red Sea.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Amman, Jordan

Arrive at Amman Airport, where you are met by your guide for a tour of Amman, one of the most ancient cities in the world, with archaeological finds dating back 3,000 years. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the city is mentioned in the Old Testament as Rabath Ammon, capital of the Ammonites, and it was here that David met Bathsheba. Visit the Citadel, archaeological museum, Roman theater, and enjoy a walk through the bazaar. Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel Amman...L

Amman, Jordan - Day 1

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Amman, Jordan

The Intercontinental offers comfortable rooms and a central location within walking distance of the Old Town. The hotel has a spa and a choice of cuisine in its three different restaurants as well as a casual deli cafe.

Day 2
Amman / Jerash / Ajlun

Visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash, an archaeological masterpiece framed by the hills of Gilead. It was founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great during the 4th century BC and later joined the Roman Decapolis. Monuments of this prosperous Roman city—one of the best preserved in the Roman Empire—include a triumphal arch, a stadium, a monumental fountain, and temples. After lunch, visit the labyrinthine 11th century Ajlun Castle, a remarkably preserved mountaintop citadel built by a nephew of the great warrior Saladin as a defensive fortress against the Crusaders. Return to Amman for overnight...BL

Amman / Jerash / Ajlun - Day 2

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Amman, Jordan

The Intercontinental offers comfortable rooms and a central location within walking distance of the Old Town. The hotel has a spa and a choice of cuisine in its three different restaurants as well as a casual deli cafe.

Day 3
Mt. Nebo / Madaba / Kerak / Petra

On our way to Petra, we visit Mt. Nebo, the mountain where Moses was allowed to view the Holy Land, yet not allowed to enter it. Today it is the site of the Church of Moses, built by the first Christians. The views over Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Israel are tremendous. When the weather is clear, you may even see Jerusalem, about 30 miles away. Continue to Madaba, whose St. George’s Church houses a world-famous mosaic floor that is a large map of Palestine, including a detailed mosaic of Jerusalem as it was during the 6th century AD. After lunch in Madaba, we continue to Kerak. About 75 miles south of Amman, this Crusader fortress is filled with galleries, rooms, and secret passageways, and its thick defensive walls are pierced by narrow arrow slits where Crusader archers held out for over 100 years. Payen Le Boutellier, the lord of Montreal, built the fortress in 1142, and made Kerak the new capital of the province because of its strategic position on the King’s Highway, where it could control all traffic from north and south. Continue to the Petra Movenpick Resort for overnight...BL

Mt. Nebo / Madaba / Kerak / Petra - Day 3

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Petra, Jordan

The best thing about the Petra Movenpick Resort is its prime location: just steps from the entrance to one of the most magical sites in the world. This is greatly appreciated after a long day of exploring on foot—and it’s also nice to be able to get there first thing in the morning before most other groups arrive! The hotel features a pleasant rooftop restaurant/bar and an outdoor pool, and offers magnificent views across the desert. Be sure to sample the hotel’s selection of ice creams (the mango is especially good!).

Day 4
Petra

We travel to Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabataens, a nomadic Arabian tribe who ruled the Trans-Jordan area in pre-Roman times and derived their great wealth and power from the passing trade caravans. The city reached the peak of its fame after the Romans took over in the first and second century AD. With the rise of the coastal trading center at Palmyra and the opening of sea trade routes, Petra declined in importance and was forgotten by the outside world for a thousand years. In 1812, Swiss explorer John Lewis Burckhardt, a young convert to Islam traveling the Middle East’s deserts in Bedouin disguise, heard local Bedouins tell of fantastic ruins hidden in the mountains of Wadi Musa and persuaded one to lead him there. His journal and sketches of Petra eventually made their way to London, where they inspired many to seek this lost city.

Sheer sandstone hills in beautiful shades of deep rust banded with gray and yellow form a deep canyon that protects Petra in all directions. Today’s full-day visit begins with a short horseback ride (or walk) from the main gate of Petra to the entrance of the old city. From here, we walk through the narrow canyon called the Siq to visit the rose-red city of Petra. The archaeological site covers an area of about 50 square miles, with over 800 monuments excavated, including the famous Al-Khazneh (“Treasury”), featured in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The modern town outside of Petra is called Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses). This is the spot where Moses is thought to have struck the rock with his staff, bringing water flowing forth as it does today. Overnight at the Petra Movenpick Resort...BL

Petra - Day 4

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Petra, Jordan

The best thing about the Petra Movenpick Resort is its prime location: just steps from the entrance to one of the most magical sites in the world. This is greatly appreciated after a long day of exploring on foot—and it’s also nice to be able to get there first thing in the morning before most other groups arrive! The hotel features a pleasant rooftop restaurant/bar and an outdoor pool, and offers magnificent views across the desert. Be sure to sample the hotel’s selection of ice creams (the mango is especially good!).

Day 5
Wadi Rum

Head to the famed desert canyon of Wadi Rum, where British officer T. E. Lawrence was based during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18. Enjoy an optional ride by camel to Lawrence’s spring, and explore by 4WD vehicle to enjoy a magnificent desert world where massive rock peaks rise out of pink sands. Our remote ecolodge, Wadi Rum Night Camp, offers a comfortable desert getaway in a superb wilderness setting. Before dinner this evening, head out to a scenic spot to enjoy sunset over Wadi Rum. Overnight at Wadi Rum Night...BLD

Wadi Rum - Day 5

Day 5 (1 night), Wadi Rum, Jordan

The tents of Wadi Rum Night Camp are everything you would expect for a fantastic night in the desert. Twenty-five Bedouin-style tents are linked by stone walkways and each has plush bedding, a Bedouin sofa, and a small sitting area facing the Wadi Rum Mountains. The lounge has cozy seating amid romantic lantern light. Watch the sunset from camp—or sunrise, they are equally enchanting over the mountains—and be sure to relax near the bonfire at night with a cup of tea in hand and the twinkling sky overhead.

Day 6
Wadi Rum / Dead Sea

After a short walk this morning to a small natural arch with inscriptions dating from the time of the Nabateans, the builders of Petra 2,000 years ago, continue to your hotel at the legendary Dead Sea, with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the 5-star Dead Sea Movenpick Resort & Zara Spa...B

Wadi Rum / Dead Sea - Day 6

Day 6 (1 night), Dead Sea, Jordan

Set among lush gardens on the northern shores of the Dead Sea, this resort is built of traditional local stone and handcrafted woods, and features tastefully decorated rooms with many amenities. Recreational facilities include the beach (a float in the salty sea is a must, but wear water shoes as the bottom is stony), an infinity swimming pool (among others), and a luxurious spa that’s all about pampering the senses. Tip: book your spa treatments prior to arrival—it would be a shame to get there and find they were all booked up!

Trip Levels

Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum Extension

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples: